Photo courtesy Crystal Lagoons

Oct. 21. By Dave Yochum. Developer Jake Palillo has a total of 270 acres of farmland on Hwy. 73 in Huntersville under contract with tentative plans to build a new-wave resort called Crystal Lagoons.

“This is the newest type of development in the country today,” said Palillo, the developer behind Bailey’s Glen in Cornelius and Symphony Park, which is underway in Huntersville.

The new, as-yet-unnamed project would include commercial, retail and residential components between Hwy. 115 and Mayes Road near Westmoreland Road.

Background

Jake Palillo also owns South Creek Construction

Crystal Lagoons is a Miami-based multinational company that has developed a state-of-the-art technology allowing crystalline lagoons to be built and maintained at very low costs anywhere in the world.

Crystal Lagoons has some 2,000 patents in 190 countries. The environmentally friendly technology uses considerably less chemicals than conventional swimming pool filtration systems. They can use sea, fresh, and even brackish water, which is abundant and has no other use.

“Disney is developing a Crystal Lagoon in Arizona and we want to Huntersville to be the first in North Carolina,” Palillo said.

He did not disclose the expected purchase price for the farm property along Hwy. 73. At 270 acres, it is more than five times larger than Birkdale Village.

New technology

Crystal Lagoons technology can create lagoons of any size in an environmentally sustainable way, while recreating a Caribbean-style environment with clear waters, white sand, and water sports—all open for visitors through an entrance fee. Projects often feature hotels, multifamily residences, retail, restaurants and venues for weddings, conferences and concerts.

Rezoning

Plans for rezoning are in the design phase now, Palillo said. He hopes to start the process with the Town within the next 30 to 60 days.